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American Record Guide (September / October 2007)
"The sound is gorgeous. I had to settle for ordinary CD, two-channel, and it was more than satisfactory. The packaging sets an industry standard." Opus (Canada) (September 2007)
"This production features above all the conducting of Asher Fisch, whose command of the musical architecture is truly impressive ... The singers ... sound like the characters they're meant to impersonate: gruff and commanding for Wotan, nasty for Alberich, feasome for Fafner, and something akin to the voice of doom for Erda ... Performance/Sound: ***** 5 stars" More information......
AllMusic Guide (USA) (August 2007)
"... this is one of the most viscerally propulsive Rheingolds on disc. A large part of the credit goes to Fisch and the exemplary playing of the Adelaide Symphony. The orchestra has a gorgeous, warm sound ... Anyone who loves Rheingold would do well to check out this version for the fresh musical and dramatic insights the performers bring to it. Performance and Sound: 5 stars" More information......
3MBS FM Libretto (Australia) (June / July 2007)
"There is so much to be admired ... not least the superb playing of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra ... a performance of almost unparalleled freshness ... invaluable" More information...... OzArts Review (Australia) (June 2007)"I cannot too highly praise the excellence of this performance ... I had to pinch myself that I was not dreaming, that this extraordinary fine interpretation didn't come out of Bayreuth ... wonderfully recorded ... hours of joyful listening." Turok's Choice (USA) (May 2007)
"All the singing is carefully phrased ... Fisch is a fine Wagner conductor; Rheingold 'breathes' beautifully." More information...... FonoForum (Germany) (April 2007)
"... the Australian Ring serves with great fidelity the traditional interpretation of a Wagner opera." Positive Feedback Online (USA) (March / April 2007)
"This second release is simply fantastic. I am delighted so far with the results and I now expect the Melba Ring Cycle to take its place in the annals of recorded history as one of the very top Ring Cycles every produced." More information...... Fanfare (USA) (March / April 2007) "As with the earlier release, this one’s a sonic marvel, especially for those who undertake surround sound ... Every one of the singers is accomplished ... Melba’s packaging is luxuriant ... sonically oriented types will surely want to continue to acquire Melba’s cycle." The Opera Critic (New Zealand) (26 March 2007)
"there is much to enjoy in this recording ... there are many moments of majesty and drama ... uses the Super Audio format to stunning effect ... an important part of the cycle as a whole" More information......
Stage Whispers (Australia) (March / April 2007)
"The sound is magnificent and for Wagner lovers and indeed opera lovers this set is a must." More information......
Stereophile (USA) (March 2007)
"The ASO performs flawlessly... Fisch's slow building of the famous prelude ... is perhaps the best interpretation the passage has every received" More information......
Classical CD Review (USA) (March 2007)
"For the most part, singers are Australian, and first-class ... Das Rheingold continues the high level of performance ... cast is strong throughout ... surround sound is excellent." More information......
Sydney Morning Herald (17 February 2007)
"an exciting clarity, brightness of detail, depth and spaciousness ... a live listening experience of surprising vividness."
More information...... Sunday Herald Sun (11 February 2007)
"In short: More pure gold Wagner from the Torrens River bank ... Das Rheingold projects the musical grandeur and dramatic thrust that garnered the theatrical staging much critical acclaim ... 4 stars (****)" More information......
Sydney Morning Herald (February 2007)
"an exciting clarity, brightness of detail, depth and spaciousness ... a live listening experience of surprising vividness." More information...... BBC Music Magazine (February 2007) "This recording has much to recommend it ... Above all, there’s Asher Fisch’s conducting, expansive and lyrical … with splendid playing from the Adelaide [Symphony] Orchestra. And the almost entirely Australian cast rise admirably to the challenge … Sound: 5 stars." More information......
4MBS Program Guide (Australia) (February 2007)
"The playing, and the overall sound, is magnificent." More information...... Gramophone (UK) (February 2007)
"no serious weaknesses ... powerful ... the individual vocal performances are to be savoured, and Wagnerians will be glad to hear them."
More information...... Classica (France) (February 2007)
"We had already said in our previous critic of Walküre how the sound favoured the orchestra and this works even better for Das Rheingold, what with its contrasts and its technicolour display. The Rhinedaughters are charming with the their English accented German ..." Limelight (Australia) (February 2007)
"what is immediately striking is the excellent recorded sound and the fine playing ... fine ensemble singing as well as excellent individual contributions ... The notes, biographies and general presentation leave nothing to be desired. I can hardly wait for the next instalment." More information...... Opera (France) (February 2007)
"There are some good castings of the secondary roles, especially Kate Ladner's Freia, as well as Donner, Woglinde and Erda. John Bröcheler was a stylish Wotan ... as was John Wegner’s Alberich. Asher Fisch directs this excellent orchestra ..." More information...... ClassiqueNews (France) (1 February 2007)
"the orchestra sounds lyrical and enormously powerful under the direction of Asher Fisch … Its technical qualities are delectable ... an impassioned reading of the score ... a great feeling of poetry" Critic Service (Germany) (12 January 2007)
"... an outstanding recording of Wagner’s Rheingold. All singers are doing their work at its best. The orchestra marks the highest standard of technical performance and beauty of sound. What a wonderful musical experience!" More information...... High Fidelity Review (USA) (7 January 2007)
"Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelungs is coming to multichannel SACD, and thanks to the State Opera of South Australia and Melba Recordings, it is being done right ... I simply can’t imagine it being done better ... this is electrifying music making, and is an edifying production ... it is a true delight to witness the emergence of what surely will be remembered years from now not only as a legendary performance, but as an epoch-making recording as well. Musical Content: 100% Recording Fidelity: 100%" More information...... International Record Review (UK) (January 2007)
"On the podium [Fisch] skilfully unfolds this work's glorious architecture, connecting the four scenes into a unified whole while maintaining gratifying dramatic energy and momentum within each scene ... The Adelaide players play their hearts out, offering a gratifying degree of technical dexterity, tonal sheen and sheer majesty."
Opera~Opera (Australia) (January 2007)
"The sound ... is stupendous ... there are definite rewards ... a valuable release ... we look forward with enthusiasm to the completion of the daunting Melba Recordings project ..." More information......
Anaclase.com (France) (January 2007)
"The remarkable quality of the recording stands out immediately ... the quality of sound which identifies the company ... Asher Fisch conducts a remarkably balanced Adelaide Symphony Orchestra"
More information...... MusicWeb International (UK) (January 2007)
"Asher Fisch has to be counted among the front-runners of recorded Ring conductors. On the merits of the playing and conducting, this Rheingold definitely has a place in the top layer."
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The Australian (9 December 2006)
"the production team has again done a fine job, creating an acoustic that is clear, detailed and warm while preserving the live performance atmosphere ... the sound quality is as good as Die Walküre ... orchestral playing of supple beauty and power ... ***1/2 (3 1/2 stars)"
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The Age 'Green Guide' (Australia) (7 December 2006)
"all the same hallmarks of the already released Walküre: excellent sound, always relevant to Wagner's scoring and the continuity of the unfolding drama; and a cast as immersed in their roles as the Adelaide Symphony is in the music. Asher Fisch, the real hero of this cycle, is an outstanding Wagnerian, his pace always assured and natural ... **** (4 stars)"
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Thomas’ Music (Australia) (December 2006)
"Whether in six channels on a SACD player or two in a more modest device, the sound is extraordinary, and the hard-bound, slipcase book presentation is again spectacular." More information...... MundoClasico.com (Spain) (December 2006)
"Die Walküre was great ... this Rheingold is even better ... John Bröcheler ... is brilliant ... acutely powerful ... a spectacular sound ... luxurious presentation ... we are impatient for the operas to follow. " Stage Noise (Australia) (December 2006)
"Melba's care and expertise in capturing the sensation of the living, breathing Adelaide Symphony Orchestra with Asher Fisch on the podium is just short of miraculous. After an international triumph with the first part, Die Walküre it’s reasonable to say this - Das Rheingold - is the most eagerly anticipated classical recording of the year. And it’s gorgeous ..."
More information...... The Sunday Age (Australia) (26 November 2006)
"... simply superb. The cast is uniformly fine ... above all John Wegner, whose Alberich stands out for his dark-toned malevolence ... Asher Fisch is utterly in command ... drawing playing of great poise and conviction from the Adelaide orchestra. The lavish booklet matches the performance ... 4 stars (****)"
More information...... Opus High Definition (France) - Opus d'or award (25 November 2006)
"This Rheingold recording is a great achievement. ... Fisch's direction ... fluid and energetic ... The cast deserves a tribute ... John Wegner's Alberich deserves first prize, with a rare expressive force, giving the drama a truth that one thought was lost in today's Wagnerian singing ... these Super Audio CDs are made for multi-channel ..."
More information...... Canberra Times (Australia) (24 November 2006)
"vocal performances are excellent ... warm and vibrant playing ... From the prelude depicting the depths of the Rhine, to the final triumphant entry of the Gods, the listener is caught up in the drama. Simply superb."
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SA-CD.net (Australia) (12 November 2006)
"listeners can experience some of the magic that was present on the night of the performance ... the recording is technically faultless and superb ... The overall sound is rather rich, deep, and luscious, and the voices in particular have a lot of body ... Sonics: 4 stars (****)"
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